News from Waikiki

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Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia W. Charters 7.21.07

Forget breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s lunch at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel that makes me feel (to quote Holly Golightly) that “Nothing bad could possibly happen to you there.” Strolling towards the Pink Lady I felt a wee pang of guilt towards my familiar secret lunch indulgence: the Halekulani, which remains decidedly “heavenly” despite the new Beach Walk Project jostling outside her peaceful precincts. The Royal is still hidden away, for now, like the celebrity she always was, though structural improvements (less cement!) at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center promise to expose her secret groves to more Kalakaua Avenue visitors.

Walking the grand driveway I always look up to the pink cupola that defines Royal style. An atmospheric patina embraces her graceful Spanish influenced architecture. The Miami-pink livery of the doormen nicely burnishes my sense of entering a special

place. Inside, the lobby is a Hollywood castle; and I always expect to see a golden-age movie star stroll by. Believe me, they did back in the day. Still do. (Shhhhh!) The Royal is undeniably a rich piece of the history of Waikiki and of Hawaii. Perhaps you’ve seen the black and white wartime photos of her beach cordoned off with barbed wire, when she was exclusively utilized as R&R for the WWII US Navy. Or maybe you saw it in some old movie.

As if on cue, the hushed burble of many languages was embellished by the unmistakable voice of Bruddah Iz singing. . . “What a wonderful world…” as I approached the arch framing the white sand, palms, and amazing skies of Waikiki Beach just outside. Two Marines in formal uniforms walked by and a lump formed in my throat as something flew into my eyes. “Thanks for serving, guys.” I said. “We love you. Akua protect you,” I thought. Suddenly the peaceful day was somehow revealed to be even more precious, more beautiful. The lady’s lounge had been commandeered by Hula Halau from Japan, and from Hawaii, who were here for an international competition.

Lunch in the Surf Room was delicious; they serve a great club sandwich with a nice side portion of “sense of occasion.” Gazing out over the beach, the people parade, and proud Diamond Head watching over us all who rest, and play in her foamy skirts, I believed myself a guest in a magical summer palace. Annabelle Lee – Annabelle Lee in her kingdom by the sea. It really does take an imagination reared on east coast bleak to fully appreciate the treasures of the tropics (or in our case, the SUB-tropics). Right Mr. Poe?

Actually, the best part of my lunch was Dottie. In her quiet unassuming way, Dottie makes you feel like a royal family guest indeed. “Aren’t you a bit young to have your working papers?” I asked her. “I’m seventy PLUS” she said, “and they’ll NEVER make me retire!” I over-tipped her even more than I usually try to, and I HOPE that everyone else does too. It’s just that much less of Waikiki when you are served by a kid from California, just that more generic. . .

Speaking of what AINT generic, have you been to Mana Hawaii shop on the second level of Beach Walk on Lewers? Several local businesses that purvey authentic Hawaiian things have gotten together to create this unique place where you can browse Hawaii books, quality ukulele, hula implements, music, art, weapons, or get a restorative lomi lomi massage. Just walking into the place is fun and educational! The folks there are authentically nice and really knowledgeable. Let them help you choose a worthwhile memento of your visit that you will enjoy for years – not toss into a storage unit!

I’d LOVE to do a reading or a book signing there for my novel “Aloha Where You Like Go? From Survival to Satisfaction by Honolulu Taxi” (This item just in: the Hawaii State Library System phoned me today and ordered 24 copies!!). While I’m doing shameless plugs, anyone who enjoyed my book’s taxi cab stories should check out “Taxi Tales” by “your driver” Lou Solitsky. Lou is a photographer, a philosopher, and one-time Sacramento “Taxi Driver of the Year” who lives in Half Moon Bay, California and found my book in a delightfully unique emporium called San Gregorio General Store. I plan to “shop in” next time I’m making that California Highway 1 “scene.” Look for me, I’ll be the Hawaii person NOT surfing Maverick’s. . .

July 16^th marked “Lahaina Sun” in Honolulu, that moment twice a year when the sun is directly above and there are no shadows to hide in. Maybe that’s why it’s called Lahaina, or “cruel” sun! I never knew that the Sky Gate sculpture in downtown’s civic center is designed to produce a perfectly circular shadow on the ground at JUST that moment. Check with an almanac and your airline, and I’ll see you there in six months. Bring chocolate macadamia nuts!

Folks attending the free summer entertainment last week at the Honolulu Zoo experienced a time that many are still talking about. Seems that local favorite Melveen Leed was singing when she noticed that the front rows were all older folks, kupuna. She sang to them, left the stage and held their hands, gazed into their eyes, and truly gave a performance of Aloha. When she finished there was a thunderous standing ovation all out of proportion to the age and gentility of the family crowd. Even wheel chair users rose to their feet in appreciation. Feel the “chicken skin?” That was some night! Be sure to check this sites calendars for other priceless (free!) entertainment choices here in Wacky-Wacky. . .

Movies and the imagination of non-boaters portray those of us living on our boats in crisp whites being served a perfect beverage on a deck chair. I have to chuckle, as we’re more often covered in muck and grease, trying to borrow some tool from a sympathetic neighbor. Ah, the sea! Oh! And blessings on whoever that was back in 250 B.C.E. who invented the water pump! These are just the things I muse upon. . . when I’m walking in Waikiki. ALOHA!

Be sure to check out Cloudia’s Hawaii Novel “Aloha Where You Like Go?” at Amazon.com or local bookstores! Contact her about performing YOUR AFFORDABLE BEACH WEDDING at cloudia.charters@gmail.com

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia W. Charters “The Fish Dance” 7.12.07

It’s season again for the fish dance. Next time you are walking the Ala Moana Blvd. Bridge over the Ala Wai Canal, pause on the mauka side to check out the intricate maneuvers underway by dozens and dozens of fish. The first time I noticed, I thought it was a flotilla of leaves on the water. Then I saw the do-si-do, the alaman left, the schools splitting into separating spirals. Fish are packed so close together that some in the middle are pushed partly up and out of the water. All together now! What are they doing? I don’t know.

But back when I was taken to see Nuryev dance at Lincoln Center I didn’t need a knowledge of ballet to be amazed by the way he hung in the air at the arc of an unbelievably high leap. Well these tilapia are just as absorbed and expert in their corps de ballet. Spawning? Eating? Hula competition judged by mantis shrimp? I just don’t know. Do you?

There are great new parking improvements at Makapu for those hiking around the slope to the lighthouse. Stop at Costco’s snack bar in Hawaii Kai for hot dogs, pizza, chicken salad, drinks on your way, and then you can park safely away from traffic and walk a paved path around the slope to the amazing view. Tip: full moon night hikes here are memorable and special!

If you are inside Costco, or Star Market, or any food store with a fish department, try buying what you see the locals buy; even squid or seaweed won’t kill you. And if you see opihi you’re in for a special treat! It’s expensive for a reason. Like the song says: “Opihi man in the sun, opihi man grab your bag and RUN! Opihi man another swell is coming your way.” People do drown harvesting these delicious morsels from the tidal zones of sea cliffs; in fact I’ve heard this innocent little Hawaiian mussel called “fish of death.” Worth a taste?

Continuing up the Saturday road through Waimanalo, with its miles and miles of white sand and turquoise shallows just yards from your car, I saw that the beach park was humming with activity. When you pull into a beach park among all the local folks who are spending their day off with their families do so humbly and with a good spirit. Easy does it.

Remember: weekending families are not cultural exhibits or chamber of commerce employees. Regular folks work very hard simply to make it here, and they enjoy their weekend relaxation just as you do. Please understand that the closest beach is like the neighborhood’s living room, even though it’s “public.” Be laid back and you’ll probably meet some new people, or even be welcomed in inimitable Aloha style. Offer to share your stuff first, like a juice to a child, or a slice of pizza to the guy sitting right next to you.

I could recount many stories of visitors being invited to the baby luau, the wedding up the block at somebody’s house, given deeply personal tours, or even invited to stay over. Nice people do find each other, bad attitudes: just keep driving!

Back in Waikiki, joining the throngs walking, running, gawking, biking, unloading surfboards on Diamond Head Road, I got to thinking that to visitors, DH is a famous visual emblem. But it’s so much more than that to us; for example, we use it to describe seasonal conditions: “Look! Diamond Head is so green!” (Lots of rain) or brown (lots of no rain). To locals it’s not just visual though, ole DH is like a beloved uncle that we playfully climb all over. We hike the trails and enjoy the view FROM Diamond Head (his shoulders). We sit on his lap: DH park one and park two, green oceanfront enclaves made peaceful and private by their lack of parking, brides are photographed here as limos hover. At the foot of the cliffs, below Diamond Head Road, are intimate little beaches where naturists and meditators can be left in peace. So you see, we locals don’t just SEE DH; we play with it, smell the flowers, hear the surf and enjoy the birds. And at the right time of year it’s perfect for spotting whales spouting and splashing out to sea. Even the tightly scheduled tour van groups that pull into the lookout seem to hush at the majesty of the vista, as their harried drivers relax for a smoke. It's the perfect spot to “watch the submarine races,” or simply to loose the grip of hours and minutes. . .

Just in time for Obon season: night blooming cereus can again be seen on the slopes of Punchbowl. Driving by day along Prospect Street, I thought they looked like deflated chochin lanterns. Check them out for a limited time as they bloom and glow in the moonlight for just one night (per blossom). The rock walls of Punahou School on Wilder Avenue offer a very picturesque place for such viewing. Come to think of it, isn’t that a scene described in “From Here To Eternity?” Misty Technicolor clouds blowing over the mountains, blue heron, red sails in the sunset. . .

Hot shower, cold beer, and warm welcome; how can every pau hana (after work) be uniquely wonderful? Guess they’re just like snowflakes. . . Remember snowflakes? In Hawaii it’s OK to smile at others. Everyone is beautiful here- but it’s from the inside. In our tropical climate makeup runs, but true aloha just glows through your expression, your skin, and your face, like a light from within. . .

SUPER FERRY! SUPER FERRY! YES! The Alakai, the largest all aluminum ship built in the USA, is here. Soon we will all be able to visit the neighbor islands by sea and bring our vehicles with us. Looks to be an expensive trip, but we all need to get out on the water sometimes. . . just so we can take our turn. . . doing the fish dance. . . Aloha!

She loves Danny Couch

By Mary Bingham 7.5.07

My husband John and I went to see Danny Couch at the Sheraton in April.
At about 6:55 PM we came back upstairs luckily were second in line to enter the show room. I had been chatting with a lady who was with her group of Navy wives, when John tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Honey, you might want to see this.”

I turned around. and said, “On my God, Honey, who is that??” ( I knew very well who it was, just couldn’t believe it !!! ) John said, “I think it is Danny, dear. Danny Couch was right there !!!!!” Greeting the lady in front of us! I did not expect him to be there right at the door to the show room, How many entertainers greet you at the door!!!

I was almost speechless ( For me, that is something new, LOL } and felt like a school girl trembling with excitement on her first date!! Just that morning at the Aloha Stadium Flea Market, I had been talking to Patty ( a nice lady who has a Chinese Seed and Fruit booth) about Danny Couch and his music . She handed me her business card and said show this to Danny and he will give you an extra special autograph.

Well. My turn came, WOW !!!, I hazily remember telling him how much , (I was in a daze, almost like a out of body experience). I Love his music, Danny gave me such a wonderful hug and then the three of us posed for the picture you see above.

Danny Couch is such a warm, humble and wonderful person and girls!! let me tell you! OOO La La, Sigh!! Danny is also very handsome and charismatic. He has none of the pretenses or aritificialites that many entertainers have today.

Danny came out on stage and just lit up the room with his wonderful charismatic presence by singing " Hawaii, My Paradise." When you actually see Danny Couch perform you will see the total Danny. If you love his music and have not seen him perform, please do so. You will fall even more in love with this warm, wonderful man's music. If you have not heard his music, go to his show, you will be come an instant fan.

Danny sang old and new favorites and took the time to interact with the audience on a warm one on one basis, just like we were at his home,in his back yard. When Danny sang his romantic ballads like Kuuipo ( My SweetHeart,) You feel like the song is being sung in your ear, just for you.

Danny Couch sings the words and the emotions of any song he performs. They so truly come from his heart. Danny becomes the song he is singing and is united as one with his song and his audience and his music becomes one with you, a part of you forever.

When Danny sang “These Islands,” I just could help but crying.
Danny's show lasted 90 minutes, and seemed to go much to fast. Afterward, Danny took time to talk to all of his guests., we all now felt like his friends. I left feeling elated but a little sad like I had to leave a dear friend that I had traveled a long way to visit

I could write pages and pages about Danny's Wonderful Show, but mere words cannot begin to describe how I felt that night seeing Danny Couch perform his wonderful music.

Here is all the information you will need to know to attend Danny Couch’s Show, what I know will be one of the most romantic, compelling evenings you will ever experience in your life time

Dinner Show
Includes: Pikake Terrace Restaurant Buffet or dinner at Momoyama Restaurant, and one standard cocktail at the show. Check in at 5:30 p.m. - Ainahau Showroom ticket desk for dinner tickets. Both restaurants are located at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel on the Lobby level.

Show to follow in the Ainahau Showroom - Second Floor
7 p.m. seating
Dinner and Cocktail Show Mondays & Wednesdays â€¢
Pre-Show Dinner / Show Combination Dinner Check-In Showtime Price Per Person
Pre-show dinner choice of either dinner buffet at the Pikake Terrace or set menu at Momoyama. During show, choose one Mai Tai, soft drink, juice or draft beer.
5:15 â€“ 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Mary and her husband John and I live in Bastrop,Tx. He is a kitchen designer and she works for Home Depot as a phone operator. She is not Danny Couch’s press secretary. She is just a devoted fan.

My Dynamic Waikiki

Walking in Waikiki with Cloudia Charters 6.27.07

Diamond Head, surf on the beach, delicious evening breezes at the end of another perfect day; Waikiki seems eternal – but it is not unchanging, and it’s never monotonous!

Hawaii people love to try new things, but we also cherish our memories. Thing is, we do it with joy – not sadness, but with celebration. Complaining is just a waste of time when there is so much here to enjoy.

In that spirit, Saturday marked my last visit to Ebisu Catering, a sweet little walk-up window on King Street just before McCully, where tempura by-the-piece, noodles, hot dog and fish cake have satisfied local palates for many many years. Ebisu is just the sort of place that we locals like to say exists nowhere else in the world, like the saimin fountains, crack seed shops, and mom & pop shave ice places in our Honolulu neighborhoods.

Standing in line with the other folks was all about paying our respects and saying “thanks” to the family. It felt a little bit like a party, and that last shrimp tempura tasted delicious out there on the sidewalk. After wiping my greasy fingertips on my jeans, I bid my happily munching new “line friends” a satisfied “Aloha,” climbed back on my bike, and headed down to University Avenue to say “So long” to another old friend, the Varsity Theater, one of our last, classic movie palaces.

In recent years the Varsity (built 1939) has been an “Art House” showing all those little films that couldn’t be seen anywhere else in town. No plans have been announced for the location, but I do know I’ll miss the neon sign above the marquee, the smell of popcorn, and even the sticky floors and rickety old seats.

Fortunately, Consolidated Theaters promises to continue showing “smaller” films at one of their modern theaters, perhaps my favorite Ward 16 at Queen & Kamake`e. Like I said, we celebrate the passing of the old, but we don’t get all moody about it; life is just too short for long faces! Besides, you’ve got to LOVE that modern stadium seating!

Been bowling lately? It’s becoming a rarer pleasure as, one by one, our local bowling alleys turn out the lights. The seniors who play at Kam Bowl on North School Street in Kalihi had one last blow out on Friday and the place was really rocking! Those loyal bowlers, many in their 80’s and even their 90’s, showed great form bowling those last frames. Don’t worry though. Plans to carpool and bus it out to Aiea Bowl, or Pali Lanes have been made, and the league games will continue.

Honolulu’s City Council is even looking into sponsoring a new Bowling Emporium on City property! I’m happy to report that the attached Kapiolani Coffee Shop has already found a new spot at City Square in Kapalama, and we can all look forward to satisfying our oxtail soup fix there. But I for one will miss the atmosphere and the sounds of the old bowling alley as I slurp… Improvements continue at the Outrigger Reef Hotel but the Shore Bird restaurant remains open and popular. Incidentally, this spot originally opened as the Ocean Showroom in June 1979. (Thanks, Uncle Tom Moffat for that before-my-time fact ;-) By any name, the place is a wonderful spot to take in a meal or show anytime. Servers tell me that the monthly KINE FM Aloha Friday Luncheon Show is flourishing there.

I jumped at the chance to make my reservation for the next show this Friday, confident that the best local musicians will perform their greatest hits live for the radio listeners as we in the restaurant audience stuff our faces, applaud, and have way too much fun for sober adults.

Across Kalia Road from the Reef and the Hale Kulani, where McDonalds used to be, a brand new Roy’s Restaurant is packing them in. I don’t know how Local Culinary Hero Roy does it, but with over a dozen restaurants on multiple continents, his folks still make each visit an occasion; this is NO chain restaurant, just a formula that works.

Enjoying a fine meal there recently with my Favorite Husband and our best buds, the Waimanalo Gunthers (Hi, Anissa & Greg!) I reflected on all the exciting new experiences to be found in our refurbished and improved Waikiki. By my calculations we were dining on Roy’s world-class food just where the Mickey D fryers used to be. Sometimes change is good! . . .

Exciting young surfer Carissa Moore 14 is a Punahou student just like Michelle Wie (ouch) and Barack Obama (interesting guy!). Last week she won a local meet against all the boys, and she has just been invited to a prestigious competition is some exotic location (Bali?) that I can’t seem to recall. . . . . There has definitely been a revival of Beach Boy Surfing, which means standing on the board and using a long paddle. The legendary Duke Kahanamoku loved to do it, but the current resurgence is credited (by those in the know) to the recently passed and well-loved Waikiki Beach Boy, Bobby Ah Choy. What a wonderful legacy, and so nice to see an old local custom returning. . . . .

Futurists predict that as we age (and wise up) more of us will want to live in physically lovely neighborhoods with lots of services, amenities, and activities all within walking distance. Sound familiar? To my mind, I already live in such a place, and living without a car doesn’t seem like such bad thing.

Why fight traffic, when everything you might want is a healthy, invigorating stroll away? Walking fights Alzheimer’s, maintains fitness, and keeps you young and beautiful (like me!). . . Especially when you are walking…in Waikiki!

Sean Doyle 19 left, and Justin 18 right, with brother Ryan

The race for youngest TransPacific sailors ever

Papaal 6.18.07

There's a great old Hawaii song called "Canoe," about a mother trying to let go of her child as he prepares to join a great voyaging canoe across the unknown sea.

“Oh, my child,” she sings, “you’re in such a hurry…”

She sees the young man as a child in her heart, but she knows too…

“All this time, I guess that I’ve been worried, afraid the sea might be too much for you to sail.”

Then she gathers herself up.

“I won’t cry…”

A real life version of the song will be re-enacted beginning July 9 at the 44^th running of the TransPacific Yacht race from Long Beach to Honolulu.

On that day a crew of five ranging from 18 to 23 may become the youngest crew ever to start a TransPac across 2,225 nautical miles of deep, blue water.

The wanna be crew would beat the former record of youngest crew by almost three years. Their average age is 19.8 years.

The crew includes two brothers, Sean, 19, and Justin Doyle, 18. Sean, though not the oldest, will serve as skipper.

The watch captains are Cameron Biehl and Ted White, ages 19 and 23 respectively, and Roscoe Fowler, 20, serves as medic.

The TransPac attracts sailors from across the globe and is famous for its fast downwind sailing in trade winds. It will surge forward from Point Fermin near San Pedro, Calif. and run to Diamond Head, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

The wanna be crew will use an ID35 called “On the Edge of Destiny.” It is a division D yacht that has sailed the TransPac before as “Two Guys on the Edge.” The boat is owned by the father of the Doyle brothers.

Both Doyle brothers are from Kailua on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, Fowler hails from Honolulu, White is a native of Goleta, Calif., while Biehl resides in San Diego.

The Doyle brothers sailed the 2006 Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Kaneohe with their dad, who also has done four Transpacs doublehanded but will not sail this time.

But Destiny will not be the only boat with a young crew.

They will compete in age and fastest corrected time across the Pacific with Roy E. Disney’s “Morning Light.” Disney held a competition for 15 crew spots from 538 applicants to try to produce the youngest crew ever to run the TransPac. They have not announced their final crew or ages yet.

Morning Light is a TransPac 52, one of the fastest class of boats in the ocean. Disney recently purchased it as the Transpac 52 Pegasus from software developer Philippe Kahn. The Transpac 52s Alta Vita and Rosebud have rated first in the last two Transpacs on overall corrected handicap time

The film will chronicle the recruitment, training and performance of sailors as young as 18 through the next race in July of 2007. It’s crew was supposed to have been the youngest ever to race the TransPac.

"If we do our job right, I don’t care as much whether they win or lose as how they come together as a group and wind up a team in the end. However they do is how they do. But we're giving them the equipment to win," Disney said.

The Morning Light project was conceived as a true film documentary by Mike Tollin of Tollin/Robbins Productions, Fred Golding, director. It will be distributed to mainstream Theaters by Walt Disney Co.

Also young and racing will be Honolulu resident Lindsey Austin, 22. She will skipper Bill Myers' Standfast 40 with an all-woman crew, except for Myers.

Austin, who has a 100-ton Master's license from the Pacific Maritime Center in Hawaii, comes from a family of mariners, including her mother Donna, who also will be on the boat.

Photo courtesy of Ted Trimmer

Walking In Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters

Walking to Bombay

6.12.07

Walking in Waikiki is even better now that we can all walk to Bombay. Bombay Indian Restaurant at Discovery Bay, that is!

Every neighborhood needs folks like Ashwani “Ash” Ahuja who take the financial risk to live their dreams and who create these unique, one-of-a-kind places for us, places where neighbors and visitors always feel truly welcome and happily satisfied. The people, the space, and especially the food, will make you feel lucky that you walked in!

Too often, busy restaurant workers say the right things, but do it without eye contact or any genuine sincerity. But at Bombay, everyone is living the Aloha Spirit indeed! Getting off the plane in Honolulu for his first time, Ash knew that this is where he wanted to raise his family. Smart man.

Lots of restaurants are too busy, too loud and too bright. Some others are like deprivation chambers that bore you the minute you enter; but here the intelligence and sincerity of your hosts, the lovely natural colors, and especially the enticing smells of quality North Indian food, carefully prepared, tell you that you’ve made a happy choice! A pleasant buzz of excitement bubbles up whenever I walk into Bombay. Remember when going out to eat was special? Well, it is again! I like to eat outside on the terrace and watch the evening begin. See you there!

The triangle park at Kalakaua & Beach walk is now Don Ho Park. Word is that a statue of Don is to be erected there. Fitting for the man who sang: “I’ll Remember You”. . .

While you are there be sure to check out the art of Bill McQuistin the caricaturist in front of Planet Hollywood. Lately the head sketcher at Universal City Walk LA, Bill couldn’t stay away from Waikiki for long! You will love his take on your favorite Hollywood Stars (yes, they are for sale) and even better – he will make YOU A STAR too.

An original 1970’s Puka Shell Tour Guide, Bill has a million great stories about our beach town and all the changes he’s seen here, and about his travels all around the world, producing art that people love. Bill is a great sailor too. Ask him about the time his sailboat sank under him mid-ocean, and he was rescued by a cruise ship! He even made headlines on CNN that time.

My Mom still displays a caricature of herself from her modeling days circa 1960, and that lovely image remains a beloved family treasure almost fifty years later (sorry, Mom). Next time you’re on Ohua Street come upstairs and ask to see it, Ruth loves the attention, and she’s still gorgeous! A $20 laminated picture of YOU by Bill is probably the best value on the avenue! You too will relive your vacation (and your youthful beauty!) for years to come! . . .

Speaking of Stars (hams?) our Mayor Mufi sang a few numbers at this week’s Moonlight In Waikiki Party receiving enthusiastic applause, and Hana Hou (One more time!) from the happy crowd. Sure they were happy! All the excellent food, free Hawaiian Entertainment, friendly faces, and amazing weather: what’s not to like? Won’t you join us for the Kamehameha Floral Parade or other cultural extravaganzas later this summer? Be sure to see our comprehensive Calendar of Events for details. . . Congratulations to the crew of Boomerang for bringing the Thomas Lipton Cup to Waikiki. . .

Which reminds me: this July will see the TransPac Yacht Race wind up at Ala Wai Harbor. It’s thrilling to be here as supporters welcome the racers with food, music, and excitement. The capitol of the yachting world will be here in Waikiki for a short time. Come see the world-class boats and party with the crews at the Hawaii Yacht Club! . . .

Have you noticed all the folks in Waikiki who are walking along and talking into their cell phones? It seems that they are usually heard saying things like: “Yeah, I can see Diamond Head right now.” to the same people that they talk with everyday. It’s nice to stay in touch, but I remember when travel meant going to new places and meeting new people. Hang up and meet someone new today! Be here now and enjoy the memories you’ll discover! . . .

Summer is here! To mainland visitors “summer” in Waikiki is a relative term, but we locals can feel the difference! South Shore “Town” Surf is UP! Competitive Paddling Season is here! The Hawaiians of old observed 13 seasons here in paradise, and after you have lived here for a while you too may notice and appreciate the cycles of weather, of the sea, and of the creatures. Personally I miss the winter whales and kolea birds, but I enjoy our summer visitors just as much. Won’t YOU be one of them? I’ll look for you at Bombay, Don Ho Park, Bill McQuistin’s Art Stand, the Yacht Races, or. . . just Walking in Waikiki. . . ALOHA!

http://honoluludailyphoto.blogspot.com/ 6.2.07

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